With Redman and Method rekindling their adventures, and the formation of Slaughterhouse[Click for review]comes another collaborative effort, by means of BlackMoon’s Buckshot and KRS-One [Click for Buckshot/KRS-One interview], as they come together for their joint project, Survival Skills.

Featuring names like Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli,Immortal Technique, Pharoahe Monch, Bounty Killer, and Naledge from Kidz In The Hall[Click for interview]; the two seasoned veterans stick to the same formula that’s kept them in the game for this long.

Providing the sound support are professional head-nodders like Black Milk, Marco Polo[Click for interview], Nottz, Illmind, Havoc from Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder, and Khrysis.

With that said, the two MC’s spring right into action with the scratch-heavy title track, ‘Survival Skills’ produced by Illmind.

From there, they go into their anti Autotune song‘Robot’ that’s been making the rounds.

Rock from Heltah Skeltah drops into provide the hook and a verse on horn-oriented ‘Clean Up Crew.’ Marco Polothen shows why he’s one of the producers on the rise with his creation of ‘Oh Really.’ (feat. Talib Kweli).

One of the strongest tracks comes in on ‘Runnin’ Away,’ which was produced by Black Milk and features Immortal Technique. Over Black Milk’s signature drums, all three MC’s share their thoughts, with Immortal Technique stealing the show.

Other honorable mentions on the record are contributions like ‘One Shot’ (feat. Pharoahe Monch), ‘The Way I Live’ (feat. Mary J. Blige), and ‘Connection’ (feat. Smif-n-Wessun).

Survival Skills is a Hip-Hop album in the true sense of the word—no gimmicks, and no catch phrases. Upon hearing the project, that point is made evident right from the beginning.

When it comes to the creative side of things, both BuckshotandKRS-Onedo a solid job of sharing the load, and placing features in the right spots.

If you’re looking next new dance craze, you won’t find it here, but if you’re looking for what Hip-Hop used to be based on way back when, this album is a perfect example of that…

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